Act 5 — Scene I.[1339]
Reading edition
Scene I.[1339]
[Enter] Clement, Knowell, Kitely, Dame Kitely, Tib, Cash, Cob, Servants.
Clem. Nay, but stay, stay, give me leave: my chair, sirrah.—You, master Knowell, say you went thither to meet your son?
Know. Ay, sir.
Clem. But who directed you thither? 5
Know. That did mine own man, sir.
Clem. Where is he?
Know. Nay, I know not now; I left him with your clerk, and appointed him to stay here for me. 10
Clem. My clerk! about what time was this?
Know. Marry, between one and two, as I take it.
Clem. And what time came my man with the false message to you, master Kitely? 15
Kit. After two, sir.
Clem. Very good: but, mistress Kitely, how chance that you were at Cob’s, ha?
Dame K. An ’t please you, sir, I’ll tell you: my brother Wellbred told me that Cob’s house was a suspected place—— 21
Clem. So it appears, methinks: but on.
Dame K. And that my husband us’d thither daily.
Clem. No matter, so he us’d himself well, mistress. 25
Dame K. True, sir: but you know what grows by such haunts oftentimes.
Clem. I see rank fruits of a jealous brain, mistress Kitely: but did you find your husband 30 there, in that case as you suspected?
Kit. I found her there, sir.
Clem. Did you so? That alters the case. Who gave you knowledge of your wife’s being there?
Kit. Marry, that did my brother Wellbred. 35
Clem. How, Wellbred first tell her; then tell you after! Where is Wellbred?
Kit. Gone with my sister, sir, I know not whither. 39
Clem. Why this is a mere trick, a device; you are gull’d in this most grossly all. Alas, poor wench! wert thou beaten for this?
Tib. Yes, most pitifully, an ’t please you.
Cob. And worthily, I hope, if it shall prove so. 45
Clem. Ay, that’s like, and a piece of a sentence.—
[Enter a Servant.]
How now, sir! what’s the matter?
Serv. Sir, there’s a gentleman i’ the court without, desires to speak with your worship. 50
Clem. A gentleman! what is he?
Serv. A soldier, sir, he says.
Clem. A soldier! Take down my armour, my sword quickly. A soldier speak with me! Why, when, knaves! Come on, come on. (Arms himself); 55 hold my cap there, so; give me my gorget,[1340] my sword: stand by, I will end your matters anon.——Let the soldier enter.
[Exit Servant.]