Act 4 — SCENE VI.

The Middle Aisle of St. Paul’s.^[640]

Enter Pursenet and Boy.

Pur. Art sure thou sawest him receive’t, boy?

Boy. Forty pound in gold, as I’m a gentleman born.

Pur. Thy father gave the ram’s head,^[641] boy?

Boy. No, you’re deceived; my mother gave that, sir.

Pur. What’s thy mother’s is thy father’s.

Enter Pyamont.

Boy. I’m sorry it holds in the ram’s head. See, here he walks; I was sure he came into Paul’s: the gold had been yours, master, long ere this, but that he wears both his hands in his pockets.

Pur. How unfortunately is my purpose seated! what the devil should come in his mind to keep in his hands so long? the biting but of a paltry louse would do me great kindness now; I’d know^[642] not how to requite it: will no rascal creature assist me? Stay, what if I did impudently salute ’em out? goodgood. Boy, be ready, boy.

Boy. Upon the least advantage, sir.

Pur. You’re most devoutly met in Paul’s, sir.

Py. So are you, but I scarce remember you, sir.

Pur. O, I cry you mercy, sir; I pray, pardon me; I fear I have tendered an offence, sir: troth, 291I took you at the first for one master Dumpling, a Norfolk gentleman.

[While Pursenet speaks, the Boy watches in vain for an opportunity to pick Pyamont’s pocket.

Py. There’s no harm done yet, sir.

Pur. I hope he is there by this time. [Aside.]—How now, boy, hast it?

Boy. No, by troth, have I not; this labour’s lost: ’tis in the right pocket, and he kept that hand in sure enough.

Pur. Unpractised gallant! salute me but with one hand, like a counterfeit soldier? O times and manners! are we grown beasts? do we salute by halves? are not our limbs at leisure?

Where’s comely nurture? the Italian kiss,

Or the French cringe, with the Polonian waist?

Are all forgot?

Then misery follows.—Surely fate forbade it:

Had he employ’d but his right hand, I’d had it.

Enter Bungler.

It must be an everlasting device, I think, that procures both his hands out at once.

[Aside, and exit with Boy.

Py. Do you walk, sir?^[643]

Bun. No, I stay a little for a gentleman’s coming too.

292Py. Farewell then, sir: I have forty pound in gold about me, which I must presently send down into the country.

Bun. Fare you well, sir. [Exit Pyamont.]—I wonder master Goldstone spares my company so long; ’tis now about the navel of the day, upon the belly of noon.

Enter Goldstone and Fulk, both disguised.

Gol. See where he walks: be sure you let off at a twinkling, now.

Fulk. When did I miss you?—Your worship has forgot you promised mistress Newcut, your cousin, to dine with her this day.

Gol. Mass, that was well remembered.

Bun. I am bold to salute you, sir.

Gol. Sir?

Bun. Is mistress Newcut your cousin, sir?

Gol. Yes, she’s a cousin of mine, sir.

Bun. Then I am a cousin of yours, by the sister’s side.

Gol. Let me salute you then; I shall be glad of your farther acquaintance.

Bun. I am a bidden guest there too.

Gol. Indeed, sir!

Bun. Faith, invited this morning.

Gol. Your good company shall be kindly embraced, sir.

Bun. I walk a turn or two here for a gentleman, but I think he’ll either overtake me, or be before me.

Gol. ’Tis very likely, sir.—There, sirrah, go to dinner, and about two wait for me.

Bun. Nay, let him come between two and three, cousin, for we love to sit long at dinner i’ th’ city.

293Gol. Come, sweet cousin.

Bun. Nay, cousin; keep your way, cousin; good cousin, I will not, i’faith, cousin. [Exeunt.