Act 2 — [Scene VI.][3049]
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[Scene VI.][3049]
Enter Ralph, Mistress Merrythought, Michael, Squire [Tim], and Dwarf [George].
Wife. Oh, husband, here’s Ralph again!—Stay, Ralph, let me speak with thee. How dost thou, Ralph? Art thou not shrewdly[3050] hurt?—The foul great lungies[3051] laid unmercifully on thee: there’s some sugar-candy for5 thee. Proceed; thou shalt have another bout with him.
Cit. If Ralph had him at the fencing-school, if he did not make a puppy of him, and drive him up and down the school, he should ne’er10 come in my shop more.
Mist. Mer. Truly Master Knight of the Burning Pestle, I am weary. Mich. Indeed, la, mother, and I am very hungry.15 Ralph. Take comfort, gentle dame, and you fair squire; For in this desert there must needs be plac’d Many strong castles held by courteous knights; And till I bring you safe to one of those, I swear by this my order ne’er to leave you.20
Wife. Well said, Ralph!—George, Ralph was ever comfortable,[3052] was he not?
Cit. Yes, duck.
Wife. I shall ne’er forget him. When we had lost our child, (you know it was stray’d almost,25 alone, to Puddle-Wharf, and the criers were abroad for it, and there it had drown’d itself but for a sculler.) Ralph was the most comfortablest to me: “Peace, mistress,” says he, “let it go; I ’ll get you another as good.”30 Did he not, George, did he not say so?
Cit. Yes, indeed did he, mouse.
George. I would we had a mess of pottage and a pot of drink, squire, and were going to bed! Tim. Why, we are at Waltham town’s35 end, and that’s the Bell Inn. George. Take courage, valiant knight, damsel, and squire! I have discovered, not a stone cast off, An ancient castle, held by the old knight Of the most holy order of the Bell,40 Who gives to all knights-errant entertain. There plenty is of food, and all prepar’d By the white hands of his own lady dear. He hath three squires that welcome all his guests; The first, hight Chamberlino, who will see45 Our beds prepar’d, and bring us snowy sheets, Where never footman stretch’d his butter’d hams;[3053] The second, hight Tapstero, who will see Our pots full filled, and no froth therein; The third, a gentle squire, Ostlero hight,50 Who will our palfreys slick with wisps of straw, And in the manger put them oats enough, And never grease their teeth with candle-snuff.[3054]
Wife. That game dwarf’s a pretty boy, but the squire’s a groutnol.[3055]55
Ralph. Knock at the gates, my squire, with stately lance. [Tim knocks at the door.]
Enter Tapster.
Tap. Who ’s there?—You’re welcome, gentlemen: will you see a room?
George. Right courteous and valiant Knight of the Burning Pestle, this is the Squire 60 Tapstero.
Ralph. Fair Squire Tapstero, I a wandering knight, Hight of the Burning Pestle, in the quest Of this fair lady’s casket and wrought purse, Losing myself in this vast wilderness,65 Am to this castle well by fortune brought; Where, hearing of the goodly entertain Your knight of holy order of the Bell Gives to all damsels and all errant knights, I thought to knock, and now am bold to enter.70 Tap. An ’t please you see a chamber, you are very welcome. Exeunt.
Wife. George, I would have something done, and I cannot tell what it is.
Cit. What is it, Nell? 75
Wife. Why, George, shall Ralph beat nobody again? Prithee, sweetheart, let him.
Cit. So he shall, Nell; and if I join with him, we’ll knock them all.