A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. VII (4th edition) - Various
Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28
_Enter_ JOHN _and_ FAUCONBRIDGE.
LADY F. Stay, here are strangers.
SKINK. A plague upon them, come they in the nick,
To hinder Reynard[506] of his fox's trick?
[LADY FAUCONBRIDGE _retires a little_.
JOHN. Good day, old hermit.
FAU. So to you, fair dame.
JOHN. By Elinor's grey eye, she's fair indeed.
Sweet heart, come ye for holy benisons?
Hermit, hast thou good custom with such clients?
I cannot blame your feats, your juggling tricks,
Plague juggle you!
LADY F. Why curse ye sacred worth?
FAU. Ill done, in sooth, my Lord, very ill done,
Wrong holiness! a very pretty woman! [_aside_.]
Mock gravity! by the mass a cherry lip! [_aside_.]
Ah, it's not well done [to] deride a holy hermit!
JOHN. I have it in my purse shall make amends.
SKINK. His purse and yours shall make me some amends
For hind'ring me this morning from the lady;
For scaring me at tavern yesternight:
For having back your chain, I'll fit you both. [_Aside_.
JOHN. Hermit, a word.
FAU. A word with you, fair mistress.
JOHN. Where lie your devils, that tell all your news?
Would you would trouble them for half an hour,
To know what is become of traitor Gloster,
That in my clothes broke prison in the Fleet?
SKINK. No, it was Skink.
JOHN. Come, old fool, ye dote.
SKINK. But hear me.
FAU. Hear him, Prince.
JOHN. 'Swounds, who hears you?
I'll make your lady graft ye for this work.-- [_Aside_.]
--But to your tale, sir.
SKINK. Know, thrice-honoured Prince,
That Skink did cosen Redcap of his clothes,
Gloster did cosen Skink, and so escap'd.
JOHN. Well done, Fauconbridge!
FAU. My lord, he tells you true.
JOHN. You find it on her lips: but, forward, sir.
SKINK. 'Twas Skink in Gloster's gown, whom you did visit,
That play'd at bowls, and after stole your clothes,
While you went into the Lord Morton's chamber.
JOHN. This savours of some truth.
FAU. 'Tis very like.
JOHN. Well, Fauconbridge, by heaven, I'll tell your wife.
FAU. She'll much believe you! you will? Come,
Tell me not of my wife[507]: this evening fail me not.
My wife, quoth you: I'll send my wife from home.
Do tell my wife, Prince John, by my dear mother,
I love her too-too well to like another.
LADY F. It seems so, fox; O, what a world is this!
There most sin reigns, where least suspicion is.
FAU. You'll come?
LADY F. I will not fail, I warrant you.
JOHN. Hermit, is all this true?
SKINK. Himself,
[If he] deliver not so much, before ye sleep,
Root me from out the borders of this realm.
[JOHN _and_ FAUC. _retire a little_.
JOHN. Well, by your leave, Sir Richard Fauconbridge,
Hence, free from fear; you'll melt, you'll melt, old man.
FAU. Nay, take her to you; she's a shrew, I warrant.
I'll to the holy hermit, and inquire
About my chain, your sword, the pursuivant,
And other matters, that I have to ask.
[_He returns_; JOHN _addresses the_ LADY.
SKINK. You're welcome, good Sir Richard.
JOHN. Nay, do not stand on terms; I am fire, all life,
Nor never tell me, that I have a wife.
I do not mean to marry; ye think so!
But to be merry you the manner know.
And you will have me, have me--'ppoint a meeting;
I'll be your true love, you shall be my sweeting.
If you deny to promise, this is plain
I'll have my will, ere you get home again.
LADY F. Most gracious lord.
JOHN. Tut, tell not me of grace:
I like no goodness but a beauteous face.
Be therefore brief; give me your hand and swear,
Or I'll away with you into the heath:
Neither shall Fauconbridge nor hermit help,
And what I do I'll answer well enough.
LADY F. Why, then, my lord.
JOHN. Nay, do not stand on them:[508]
But tell me, when my lord shall have you, Lady;
It's presently I venture for a baby.
LADY F. This night at Stepney, by my summer-house,
There is a tavern which I sometimes use,
When we from London come a-gossiping;
It is the Hind.
JOHN. Give me thy pretty hand:
Thou'lt meet me at the Hind? I'll be thy roe.
LADY F. One word's enough.
JOHN. Suffice; then be it so.
LADY F. I'll fit my old adulterer and your grace,
I'll send the Princess thither in my place. [_Aside_.
FAU. Prince John, Prince John, the hermit tells me wonders;
He says it was Skink that 'scap'd us at the tavern:
Skink had my chain--nay, sure, that Skink did all.
SKINK. I say, go but to yonder corner,
And ere the sun be half an hour higher,
There will the thief attempt a robbery.
JOHN. Who? Skink?
FAU. Will Skink?
SKINK. Ay, Skink, upon my word.
FAU. Shall we go seize upon him, good Prince John?
JOHN. Nay, we will have him, that's no question.
And yet not hurt the honest rogue.
He'll help us well in quest of changing Gloster.
Hermit, farewell; Lady, keep your hour.
FAU. Adieu, old hermit: soon in the evening, lass.
LADY F. I'll meet you both, and meet with[509] both of you.
Father, what answer do you give to me?
SKINK. Lady, start down; I must into my cell,
Where I am curing of a man late hurt;
He dress'd, I must unto my orisons;
In half an hour all will be despatch'd,
And then I will attend your ladyship.
[_Exit_.
LADY F. At your best leisure, father. O, the life,
That this thrice-reverend hermit leadeth here.
How far remote from mortal vanities,
Baits to the soul, enticements to the eye!
How far is he unlike my lustful lord?
Who being given himself to be unchaste,
Thinks all men like himself in their effects,
And injures me, that never had a thought
To wrong the sacred rights of spotless faith.
_Enter_ SKINK _with a patch on his face, and a
falconer's lure in his hand_.[510]
SKINK. Hermit, farewell, I'll pay ye or speak with ye next time I see
ye. Sweet mouse, the hermit bids you stay here; he'll visit you anon.
Now, John and Fauconbridge, I'll match ye, and I do not say Skink's a
wretch, a wren, a worm. When I have trick'd them, madam, I will trim
you. Commodity is to be preferr'd before pleasure. About profit, Skink;
for crowns, for crowns, that make the kingly thoughts!
[_Exit_.
LADY F. (_to the hermit supposed within_.)
I am assur'd that man's some murderer.
Good Father Hermit, speak and comfort me;
Are ye at prayers, good old man? I pray ye, speak.
[_Enters_.
What's here? a beard? a counterfeited hair?
The hermit's portesse,[511] garments, and his beads?
Jesus defend me! I will fly this den;
It's some thief's cave, no haunt for holy men.
What, if the murderer (as I guess him one)
Set on my husband! Tush, Prince John and he
Are able to defend their[512] noble selves.
Howe'er, I will not tarry, I'll away,
Lest unto theft and rape I prove a prey.
[_Exit_.
SCENE THE TWENTY-SIXTH.
_Enter_ SKINK _solus_.
SKINK. Yonder they are; I'll fit them; here's my ground.
Wa-ha-how, wa-ha-how, wa-ha-how!
_Enter_ FAUCONBRIDGE [_and_ JOHN.]
FAU. I warrant ye, my lord, some man's distress'd.
JOHN. Why, man, 'tis a falconer.
FAU, Marry of me, good fellow, I did think thou had'st been robb'd.
SKINK. Robb'd, sir? No, he that comes to rob me shall have a hard match
on't, yet two good fellows had like to have been robb'd by one tall
thief, had not I stepped in. A bots on him! I lost a hawk by him, and
yet I car'd not to send another after him, so I could find the thief;
and hereabout he is; I know he is squatted.
FAU. Say'st thou me so? we'll find him, by St Mary,
An honest fellow, a good commonwealth's man.
JOHN. There are caves hereabout, good fellow, are there not?
SKINK. Yes, sir; tread the ground, sir, and you shall hear their
hollowness; this way, sir, this way.
JOHN. Help, Fauconbridge.
FAU. O, help me, good Prince John.
SKINK. I'll help you both; deliver, sir, deliver! Swounds, linger not.
Prince John, put up your purse, or I'll throw poniards down upon your
pate. Quickly! when? I am Skink, that 'scap'd ye yesternight, and fled
the Fleet in your cloak, carrying me clean out of wind and rain. I broke
the bonds and links that fettered your chain amity; this cheat is mine.
Farewell, I cannot stay,
Sweet Prince, old Knight, I thank ye for this prey.
[_Exit_.
FAU. God's marry mother, here's a jest indeed.
We came to take: a thief takes us!
Where are ye, good my lord?
JOHN. No matter where;
I think I was fore-spoken at the teat,
This damn'd rogue serv'd me thus! Gloster and he,
Upon my life, conclude in villany.
He was not wont to plot these stratagems.
Lend me your hand a little; come away,
Let's to the cell again; perchance the hermit
Is Skink and thief, and hermit, all in one.
FAU. Marry a God, then ten to one it's so;
Well thought on, Princely John;
He had my chain, no doubt he had your sword.
JOHN. If there be now no hermit at the cell,
I'll swear by all the saints it's none but he.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE THE TWENTY-SEVENTH.
_Enter_ GLOSTER _in the Hermit's gown, putting on the beard_.
GLO. This accident hath hit thy humour, Gloster;
From pursuivant I'll turn a hermit now.
Sure, he that keeps this cell's a counterfeit,
Else what does he here with false hair and beard?
Well, howsoe'er it be, I'll seem to be
The holy hermit; for such fame there is,
Of one accounted reverend on this heath.
_Enter_ SKINK.
[SKINK.] I'll fain unto my cell, to my fair lady;
But John and Fauconbridge are at my heels; [_Sees John_.
And some odd mate is got into my gown,
And walks devoutly like my counterfeit.
I cannot stay to question with you now,
I have another gown and all things fit,
These guests once rid, new mate, I'll bum,[513] I'll mark you.
[_Exit_.
GLOS. What's he, a God's name? he is quickly gone.
I am for him, were he Robin Goodfellow.
Who's yonder, the Prince John and Fauconbridge?
I think they haunt me like my genii,
One good, the other ill; by the mass, they pry,
And look upon me but suspiciously.
JOHN. This is not Skink; the hermit is not Skink.
He is a learned, reverend, holy man;
FAU. He is, he is a very godly man;
I warrant ye, he's at his book at's prayers.
We should have took you, by my halidom,
Even for a very thief.
GLO. Now God forfend
Such noblemen as you should guess me so!
I never gave such cause, for ought I know.
JOHN. Yet thou did'st tell us Skink should do a robbery,
Appointed us the place, and there we found him.
FAU. And he felt us, for he hath robb'd us both.
GLO. He's a lewd fellow; but he shall be taken.
JOHN. I had rather hear of Gloster than of him.
GLO. Gloster did cheat him of the same gold chain,
That deceiv'd Sir Richard Fauconbridge.
He got your sword, Prince John: 'twas he that sav'd
The porter, and beguil'd the pursuivant.
JOHN. A vengeance on him!
GLO. Do not curse, good prince;
He's bad enough, 'twere better pray for him.
JOHN. I'll kill thee, and thou bid us pray for him,
I'll fell [the] woods, and ring thee round with fire,
Make thee an offering unto fierce revenge,
If thou have but a thought to pray for him.
GLO. I am bound to pray for[514] all men, chiefly Christians.
JOHN. Ha, ha, for Christians? think'st thou he is one?
For men? hast thou opinion he is a man?
He that changes himself to sundry shapes,
Is he a Christian? can he be a man?
O irreligious thoughts!
GLO. Why, worthy prince,
I saw him christened, dipp'd into the font.
JOHN. Then nine times, like the northern Laplanders,
He backward circled the sacred font,
And nine times backward said his orisons:
As often curs'd the glorious host of heaven,
As many times invok'd the fiends of hell,
And so turn'd witch; for Gloster is a witch.
GLO. Have patience, gentle prince; he shall appear
Before your kingly father speedily.
JOHN. Shall he indeed? sweet comfort, kiss thy cheek;
Peace circle in thy aged honoured head.
When he is taken, hermit, I protest
I'll build thee up a chapel and a shrine:
I'll have thee worshipp'd as a man divine,
Assure [ye] he shall come, and Skink shall come.
FAU.[515] Aye, that same Skink; I prythee, send that Skink.
JOHN. Send both; and both, as prisoners criminate.
Shall forfeit their lost[516] lives to England's state,
Which way will Fauconbridge?
FAU. Over the water, and
So with all speed I may to Stepney.
JOHN. I must to Stepney too, and revel, and be blithe,
Old [Knight], wink at my mirth; 't may make amends,
So thou and I, and our friends, may be friends.
FAU. With all my heart, with all my heart, Prince [John],
Old Fauconbridge will wait upon your grace.
Be good to Gloster, for my Marian's sake,
And me and mine you shall your servants make.
GLO. Of that anon: my pleasure being serv'd,
Gloster shall have what Gloster hath deserv'd.
FAU. Why, that's well said; adieu, good honest hermit.
[_Exit_.
JOHN. Hermit, farewell, if I had my desire,
I'll make the world thy wondrous deeds admire.
[_Exit_.
GLO. Still good, still passing good; Gloster is still
Henry's true hate, foe to John's froward will,
No more of that: for them in better time.
If this same hermit be an honest man,
He will protect me by his[517] simple life;
If not, I care not; I'll be ever Gloster,
Make him my footstool, if he be a slave,
For baseness over worth can have no power.
Robin, bethink thee, thou art come from kings,
Then scorn to be [a] slave to underlings,
Look well about thee, lad, and thou shalt see
Them burst in envy, that would injure thee.
Hermit, I'll meet you in your hermit's gown,
Honest, I'll love you: worse, I'll knock you down.
[_Exit_.
SCENE THE TWENTY-EIGHTH.
_Enter_ PRINCE RICHARD, _with music_.
P. RICH. Kind friends, we have troubled Lady Fauconbridge,
And either she's not willing to be seen,
Or else not well, or with our boldness griev'd,
To ease these, I have brought you to this window,
Knowing you are in music excellent.
I have penn'd a ditty here, and I desire
You would sing it for her love and my content.
MUS. With all my heart, my lord.
_Enter_ ROBIN HOOD, _like the_ LADY [FAUCONBRIDGE].
ROB. Your excellence forgets your princely worth;
If I may humbly crave it at your hands,
Let me desire this music be dismiss'd.
RICH. Forbear, I pray, and withdraw yourselves;
Be not offended, gracious Marian. [_Exeunt music_.
Under the upper heaven nine goodly spheres
Turn with a motion ever, musical;
In palaces of kings melodious sounds
Offer pleasures to their sovereigns ears.
In temples, milk-white-clothed quiristers
Sing sacred anthems, bowing to the shrine;
And in the fields whole quires of winged clerks
Salute the[518] morning bright and crystalline.
Then blame not me; you are my heaven, my queen:
My saint, my comfort, brighter than the morn.
To you all music and all praise is due;
For your delight, for you,[519] delight was born.
The world would have no mirth, no joy, no day,
If from the world your beauty were away.
ROB. Fie on love's blasphemy and forgery,
To call that joy[520] that's only misery!
I, that am wedded to suspicious age,
Solicited by your lascivious youth;
I, that have [only] one poor comfort living--
Gloster my brother, my high-hearted brother--
He flies for fear, lest he should faint, and fall
Into the hands of hate tyrannical.
RICH. What would you I should do?
ROB. I would full fain
My brother Gloster had his peace again.
RICH. Shall love be my reward, if I do bring
A certain token of his good estate,
And after pacify my brother's wrath?
Say you will love, he[521] will be fortunate!
ROB. I will.
RICH. No more; I vow to die unblest
If I perform not this imposed quest.
But one word, madam; pray, can you tell
Where Huntington my ward is?
ROB. I was bold
To send young Robin Hood, your noble ward,
Upon some business of import for me.
RICH. I am glad he is employed in your affairs;
Farewell, kind fair; let [not] one cloudy frown
Shadow the bright sun of thy beauty's light:
Be confident in this--I'll find thy brother,
Raise power but he'll[522] have peace: only perform
Your gracious promise at my back-return.
ROB. Well, here's my hand, Prince Richard; that same night,
Which secondeth the day of your return,
I'll be your bed-fellow, and from that hour
Forswear the loathed bed of Fauconbridge:
Be speedy, therefore, as you hope to speed.
RICH. O that I were as large-winged as the wind,
Then should you see my expeditious will.
My most desire, adieu! guess by my haste
Of your sweet promise the delicious taste.
[_Exit_.
ROB. Why so: I am rid of him by this device,
He would else have tired me with his songs and sighs.[523]
_Enter_ BLOCK.
But now I shall have ease; here comes the saint,
To whom such suit was made.
BLO. My lady gentlewoman is even here in her privity-walk. Madam,
here's the merchant's wife was here yesterday would speak with ye.
O, I was somewhat bold to bring her in.
_Enter_ LADY FAUCONBRIDGE, _disguised as a merchant's wife_.
ROB. Well, leave us, sir; y'are welcome, gentlewoman.
BLO. These women have no liberality in the world in them; I never let
in man to my lady, but I am rewarded.
ROB. Please ye to walk, sir! wherefore mumble ye?
[_Exit_ BLOCK.
LADY F. Robin, what news? how hast thou done this night?
ROB. My ladyship hath done my part, my task,
Lain all alone for lack of company,
I might have had Prince Richard.
LADY F. Was he here!
ROB. He went away but now;
I have been lov'd and woo'd too simply,
God rid me of the woman once again;
I'll not be tempted so for all the world.
Come, will you to your chamber, and uncase?
LADY F. Nay, keep my habit yet a little while,
Old Fauconbridge is almost at the gate,
I met him at Blackheath just at the hermit's,
And, taking me to be a merchant's wife,
Fell mightily in love, gave me his ring,
Made me protest that I would meet him here.
I told him of his lady--O, tut, quoth he,
I'll shake her up, I'll pack her out of sight.
He comes; kind Robin Hood, hold up the jest.
_Enter_ SIR RICHARD FAUCONBRIDGE _and_ BLOCK, _talking together_.
FAU. God's marry, knave, how long hath she been here?
BLO. Sir, she came but even in afore you.
FAU. A cunning quean, a very cunning quean,
Go to your business, Block; I'll meet with her.
BLO. Ah, old muttonmonger, I believe here's work towards.
[_Exit_.
FAU. [_seeing the merchant's wife_].
Do not believe her. Moll, do not believe her,
I only spake a word or two in jest,
But would not for the world have been so mad;
Do not believe her, Moll, do not believe her.
ROB. What should I not believe? what do you mean?
LADY F. Why, good Sir Richard, let me speak with you.
Alas, will you undo me? will you shame me?
Is this your promise? came I here for this?
To be a laughing-stock unto your lady?
ROB. How now, Sir Richard, what's the matter there?
FAU. I'll talk with you anon; come hither, woman.
Did'st [thou] not tell my wife what match we made?
LADY F. I tell your wife? think ye I am such a beast?
Now God forgive ye; I am quite undone.
FAU. Peace, duck; peace, duck; I warrant all is well. [_Aside_.
Rob. What's the matter? I pray ye, Sir Richard, tell me!
FAU. Marry, Moll, thus--about some twelve month since,
Your brother Gloster, that mad prodigal,
Caus'd me to pass my word unto her husband
For some two thousand pounds, or more perchance--
No matter what it is, you shall not know,
Nay, ye shall never ask to know.
ROB. And what of this?
FAU. Many, the man's decayed,
And I believe a little thing would please her;
A very little thing, a thing of nothing.
Go in, good Moll, and leave us two alone,
I'll deal with ye as simply as I can.
LADY F. Fox, look about ye, ye are caught, i'faith.
ROB. Deal with her simply! O, O, what kind of dealing?
Can ye not deal with her, and I be by?
FAU. Marry a God, what, are ye jealous?
Ye teach me what to do? in, get you in.
O, I have heard Prince Richard was your guest,
How dwelt you then? In, get you in, I say.
Must I take care about your brother's debts,
And you stand crossing me? In, or I'll send you in. [_Exit_ ROBIN.
Ha, sirrah; you'll be master, you'll wear the yellow,[524]
You'll be an over-seer? marry, shall ye!
LADY F. Ye are too curst (methinks, sir) to your lady.
FAU. Ah, wench, content thee, I must bear her hard,
Else she'll be prying[525] into my dalliance.
I am an old man, sweet girl; I must be merry:
All steel, all spright: keep in health by change;
Men may be wanton, women must not range.
LADY F. You have given good counsel, sir; I'll repent me.
Here is your ring; I'll only love my husband.
FAU. I mean not so, I think to-day thou told'st me
Thy husband was an unthrift and a bankrupt.
And he be so, tut, thou hast favour store;
Let the knave beg, beauty cannot be poor.
LADY F. Indeed my husband is a bankrupt--
Of faith, of love, of shame, of chastity,
Dotes upon other women more than me.
FAU. Ha! do he so? then give him tit for tat,
Have one so young and fair, and loves another?
He's worthy to be cuckolded, by the mass!
What is he, old or young?
LADY F. About your age.
FAU. An old knave,
And cannot be content with such a peat!
Come to my closet, girl, make much of me;
We'll appoint a meeting-place some twice a week,
And I'll maintain thee like a lady, ha!
LADY F. O, but you will forget me presently,
When you look well upon your lady's beauty.
FAU. Who? upon her? why, she is a very dowdy,
A dishclout, a foul gipsy unto thee.
Come to my closet, lass, there take thy earnest
Of love, of pleasure, and good maintenance.
LADY F. I am very fearful.
FAU. Come, fool, never fear.
I am lord here, who shall disturb us then?
Nay, come, or, by the rood, I'll make you come.
LADY F. Help, Madam Fauconbridge, for God's sake.
_Enter_ ROBIN HOOD _as_ LADY FAUCONBRIDGE, _and_ BLOCK.
FAU. How now, what mean'st?
LADY F. Help, gentle madam, help!
ROB. How now, what ail'st thou?
BLOCK. Nay, and't be a woman: ne'er fear my master, madam.
ROB[526]. Why speak'st thou not, what ail'st thou?
FAU. Why, nothing, by the rood, nothing she ails.
LADY F. O madam, this vile man would have abused me,
And forc'd me to his closet.
ROB. Ah, old Cole,[527] now look about: you are catcht!
LADY F. Call in your fellows, Block.
FAU. Do not, thou knave.
LADY F. Do, or I'll crack your crown.
BLO. Nay, I'll do't: I know she means to shame you.
[_Exit_.
FAU. Why, Moll, wilt thou believe this paltry woman?
Huswife, I'll have you whipp'd for sland'ring me.
ROB. What, lecher? no, she is an honest woman:
Her husband's well known; all the household knows.
BLO. Here's some now to tell all the town your mind.
LADY F. Before ye all I must [now] sure complain.
You see this wicked man, and ye all know
How oft he hath been jealous of my life:
Suspecting falsehood, being false himself.
BLO. O master, O master.
FAU. She slanders me; she is a cozening quean.
Fetch me the constable: I'll have her punish'd.
LADY F. The constable for me? fie, fie upon ye.
Madam, do you know this ring?
ROB. It is Sir Richard's.
BLO. O, aye, that's my master's, too [--too] sure.
FAU. Ay, marry, I did lend it to the false drab
To fetch some money for that bankrupt knave,
Her husband, that lies prisoner in the Fleet.
LADY F. My husband bankrupt? my husband in the Fleet prisoner?
No, no, he is as good a man as you.
ROB. Ay, that he is, and can spend pound for pound
With thee, i'faith, wert richer than thou art.
I know the gentleman.
LADY F. Nay, madam, he is
Hard by: there must be revels at the Hind tonight;
Your copesmate's there--Prince John.
ROB. There's a hot youth!
BLO. O, a fierce gentleman!
LADY F. He was fierce as you; but I have match'd him:
The princess shall be there in my attire.
FAU. A plaguy, crafty quean, marry a God,
I see Prince John courted as well as I;
And since he shall be mock'd as well as I,
It's some contentment.
BLO. Mass, he droops.
Fellow Humphrey, he is almost taken,
Look about ye, old Richard. [_Aside_.
FAU. Hence, knaves; get in a little. Prythee, Moll,
Let thou and I, and she, shut up this matter.
ROB. Away, sirs; get in.
BLO. Come, come,
Let's go; he will be baited now. Farewell.
[_Exit_ BLOCK.
FAU. Marry, sweet Moll, I say, I met this woman;
Lik'd her, lov'd her;
For she is worthy love, I promise thee.
I say, I courted her: tut, make no brawl,
'Twixt thou and I we'll have amends for all.
ROB. Had I done such a trick, what then? what then?
FAU. Ah prythee, Moll, tut, bear with men.
ROB. Aye, we must bear with you; you'll be excus'd,
When women undeserved are abus'd.
FAU. Nay, do not weep: pardon me, gentle lady;
I know thee virtuous, and I do protest
Never to have an evil thought of thee.
ROB. Aye, aye, ye swear; who's that that will believe ye?
FAU. Now, by my halidom and honest faith,
This gentlewoman shall witness what I swear.
Sweet duck, a little help me.
LADY F. Trust him, madam.
FAU. I will be kind, credulous, constant ever,
Do what thou wilt, I'll be suspicious never.