Act 3 — SCENE V.
Reading edition
A Street.
Enter Rearage and Salewood.
Rear. Now the letter’s made up and all; it wants but the print of a seal, and away it goes to master Quomodo. Andrew Lethe is well whipt in’t; his name stands in a white sheet here, and does penance for him.
Sale. You have shame enough against him, if that be good.
Rear. First, as a contempt of that reverend ceremony he has in hand, to wit, marriage.
Sale. Why do you say, to wit, marriage, when you know there’s none will marry that’s wise?
Rear. Had it not more need then to have wit to put to’t, if it be grown to a folly?
Sale. You’ve won; I’ll give’t you.
Rear. ’Tis no thanks now: but, as I was saying, as a foul contempt to that sacred ceremony, he most audaciously keeps a drab in town, and, to 485be free from the interruption of blue beadles[1090] and other bawdy officers, he most politicly lodges her in a constable’s house.
Sale. That’s a pretty point, i’faith.
Rear. And so the watch, that should fetch her out, are her chiefest guard to keep her in.
Sale. It must needs be; for look, how the constable plays his conscience, the watchmen will follow the suit.
Rear. Why, well then.
Enter Easy, and Shortyard disguised as before.[1091]
Easy. All night from me? he’s hurt, he’s made away!
Sho. Where shall we seek him now? you lead me fair jaunts, sir.
Easy. Pray, keep a little patience, sir; I shall find him at last, you shall see.
Sho. A citizen of my ease and substance to walk so long a-foot!
Easy. You should ha’ had my horse, but that he has eaten out his head, sir.
Sho. How? would you had me hold him by the tail, sir, then?
Easy. Manners forbid! ’tis no part of my meaning, sir. O, here’s master Rearage and master Salewood: now we shall hear of him presently.—Gentlemen both.
Sale. Master Easy? how fare you, sir?
486Easy. Very well in health. Did you see master Blastfield this morning?
Sale. I was about to move it to you.
Rear. We were all three in a mind then.
Sale. I ha’ not set eye on him these two days.
Rear. I wonder he keeps so long from us, i’faith.
Easy. I begin to be sick.
Sale. Why, what’s the matter?
Easy. Nothing in troth, but a great desire I had to have seen him.
Rear. I wonder you should miss on’t lately; you’re his bedfellow.[1092]
Easy. I lay alone to-night, i’faith, I do not know how. O, here comes master Lethe; he can despatch me.—
Enter Lethe.
Master Lethe.
Let. What’s your name, sir? O, cry you mercy, master Easy.
Easy. When parted you from master Blastfield, sir?
Let. Blastfield’s an ass: I have sought him these two days to beat him.
Easy. Yourself all alone, sir?
Let. Ay, and three more. [Exit.
Sho. I am glad I am where I am, then; I perceive ’twas time of all hands. [Aside.
Rear. Content, i’faith; let’s trace him.
[Exit with Salewood.
Sho. What, have you found him yet? neither? what’s to be done now? I’ll venture my body no further for any gentleman’s pleasure: I know not 487how soon I may be called upon, and now to overheat myself——
Easy. I’m undone!
Sho. This is you that slept with him! you can make fools of us; but I’ll turn you over to Quomodo for’t.
Easy. Good sir——
Sho. I’ll prevent mine own danger.
Easy. I beseech you, sir——
Sho. Though I love gentlemen well, I do not mean to be undone for ’em.
Easy. Pray, sir, let me request you, sir; sweet sir, I beseech you, sir—— [Exeunt.