[SCENE IV.]

Enter three or foure neighbours together.

1 Neigh. Neighbours, tis bruted all about the towne That Robert Beech, a honest Chaundelor, Had his man deadly wounded yester night, At twelve a clock, when all men were a sleepe.

2. Where was his maister, when the deed was done?

3. No man can tell, for he is missing to, Some men suspect that he hath done the fact, And that for feare the man is fled away; Others, that knew his honest harmlesse life, Feare that himselfe is likewise made away.

4. Then let commaundement every where be given, That sinkes and gutters, privies, crevises, And every place where blood may be conceald, Be throughly searcht, swept, washt, and neerely sought, To see if we can finde the murther out. And least that Beech be throwne into the Thames, Let charge be given unto the watermen That, if they see the body of a man, Floting in any place about the Thames, That straight they bring it unto Lambert Hill, Where Beech did dwell when he did live in health.

1 Neigh. Ile see this charge performd immediatly.

4. Now let us go to Maister Beeches shop, [Exit. To see if that the boy can give us light, Of those suspitions which this cause doth yeeld.

2. This is the house; call Maister Loney forth.

3. Hoe, Maister Loney! doth the boy yet live?

Enter Loney.

Or can he utter who hath done him wrong.

Lo. He is not dead but hath a dying life, For neither speech, nor any sense at all, Abideth in the poore unhappie youth.

4. Here [sic] you of anie where his Maister is?

Lo. No, would we could; we all, that knew his life, Suspect him not for any such offence.

4. Bring forth the boy, that we may see his wounds.

[Bringes him forth in a chaire with a hammer sticking in his head.

What say the Surgeons to the youngmans woundes?

Lo. They give him over, saying everie wound, Of sixe, whereof theres seav'n in his head, Are mortall woundes and all incurable.

[They survey his woundes.

Enter Merrie and Williams.

Mer. How now, good Harry, hast thou hid my fault? The boy that knew I train'd his Maister forth, Lies speechlesse, and even at the point of death. If you prove true, I hope to scape the brunt.

Will. Whie, feare not me, I have conceal'd it yet, And will conceale it, have no doubt of me.

Mer. Thanks, gentle Harry, thou shalt never lacke; But thou and I will live as faithfull friendes, And what I have, shalbe thine owne to use. There is some monie for to spend to-day, I know you meane to goe and see the faire.

Will. I faine would go, but that I want a cloake.

Mer. Thou shalt not want a cloake, or ought beside, So thou wilt promise to be secret. [Gives him his cloake. Here, take my Cloake, ile weare my best my selfe. But where did you lie this last night?

Wil. At the three Cranes, in a Carmans hay loft, But ile have better lodging soone at night.

Mer. Thou wilt be secret. I will go and see, [Exit Willi. What stir they keepe about Beeches shop, Because I would avoyde suspition. [Go to them. God save you, Gentlemen! is this the boy That is reported to be murthered?

4. He is not dead outright, but pleas'd it God, Twere better he had left this wicked world, Then to live thus in this extremitie.

Mer. A cruell hand no doubt that did the deede. Whie pull you not the hammer from his head?

4. That must not be before the youth be dead, Because the crowner and his quest may see, The manner how he did receive his death. Beare hence the bodie, and endevor all, To finde them out that did the villanie.

[Exeunt omnes: manet Merrie.

Mer. Do what you can, cast all your wits about, Rake kennells, gutters, seeke in everie place, Yet I will overgoe your cunning heads, If Williams and my sister hold their tongues. My neighbours holdes not me in least suspect, Weighing of my former conversation. Were Beeches boy well conveid awaie, Ide hope to overblow this stormie day.

[Exit.