Act 2 — [Scene VII.][3056]
Reading edition
[Scene VII.][3056]
Enter Humphrey and Merchant [Venturewell.]
Wife. Oh, George, here ’s Master Humphrey again now, that lost Mistress Luce, and Mistress Luce’s father. Master Humphrey will do somebody’s errand, I ’ll warrant him.
Hum. Father, it’s true in arms I ne’er shall clasp her;5 For she is stoln away by your man Jasper. Wife. I thought he would tell him. Vent. Unhappy that I am, to lose my child! Now I begin to think on Jasper’s words, Who oft hath urg’d [to] me thy foolishness.10 Why didst thou let her go? Thou lov’st her not, That wouldst bring home thy life, and not bring her. Hum. Father, forgive me. Shall I tell you true? Look on my shoulders, they are black and blue. Whilst to and fro fair Luce and I were winding,15 He came and basted me with a hedge-binding.[3057] Vent. Get men and horses straight: we will be there Within this hour. You know the place again? Hum. I know the place where he my loins did swaddle; I ’ll get six horses, and to each a saddle.20 Vent. Mean time I will go talk with Jasper’s father. Exeunt [severally].
Wife. George, what wilt thou lay with me now, that Master Humphrey has not Mistress Luce yet? Speak, George, what wilt thou lay with me? 25
Cit. No, Nell; I warrant thee Jasper is at Puckeridge[3058] with her by this.
Wife. Nay, George, you must consider Mistress Luce’s feet are tender: and besides ’t is dark; and, I promise you truly, I do not see 30 how he should get out of Waltham-forest with her yet.
Cit. Nay, cony, what wilt thou lay with me, that Ralph has her not yet?
Wife. I will not lay against Ralph, honey, 35 because I have not spoken with him. But look, George, peace! here comes the merry old gentleman again.