Act 4 — SCENE III.
Reading edition
A room in Water-Camlet’s house.
Enter George and Margarita.
Geo. Madam, but stay here a little, my master comes instantly; I heard him say he did owe you a good turn, and now’s the time to take it; I'll warrant you a sound reward ere you go.
Mar. Ey tank u de bon cœur, monsieur.
Enter Water-Camlet.
Geo. Look, he’s here already.—Now would a skilful navigator take in his sails, for sure there is a storm towards.[959] [Aside, and exit.
W.-Cam. O madam, I perceive in your countenance—
I am beholding[960] to you—all is peace?
Mar. All quiet, goor frendsheep; ey mooch a do, ey strive wid him; give goor worda for you, no more speak a de matra; all es undonne, u no more trobla.
Enter behind Mistress Water-Camlet and Knavesby.
W.-Cam. Look, there’s the price of a fair pair of gloves,
And wear ’em for my sake. [Gives money.
Mis. W.-Cam. O, O, O! my heart’s broke out of my ribs!
Kna. Nay, a little patience.
Mar. By tank u artely; shall no bestow en gloves, shall put moosh more to dees, an bestow your shop: regarde dees stofa, my petticote, u no soosh anodre; shall deal wid u for moosh; take in your hand.
483W.-Cam. I see it, mistress, ’tis good stuff indeed, It is a silk rash; I can pattern it.
Mis. W.-Cam. Shall he take up her coats before my face? O beastly creature! [Coming forward] French hood, French hood, I will make your hair grow thorough![961]
W.-Cam. My wife return’d!—O, welcome home, sweet Rachel!
Mis. W.-Cam. I forbid the banes,[962] lecher!—and, strumpet, thou shalt bear children without noses!
Mar. O, pardonnez-moi; by my trat, ey mean u no hurta: wat u meant by dees?
Mis. W.-Cam. I will have thine eyes out, and thy bastards shall be as blind as puppies!
W.-Cam. Sweet Rachel!—Good cousin, help to pacify.
Mis. W.-Cam. I forbid the banes, adulterer!
W.-Cam. What means she by that, sir?
Kna. Good cousin, forbid your rage awhile; unless you hear, by what sense will you receive satisfaction? [Restraining her.
Mis. W.-Cam. By my hands and my teeth, sir; give me leave! will you bind me whiles mine enemy kills me?
W.-Cam. Here all are your friends, sweet wife.
Mis. W.-Cam. Wilt have two wives? do, and be[963] hanged, fornicator! I forbid the banes: give me the French hood, I'll tread it under feet in a pair of pantofles.[964]
484Mar. Begar, shall save hood, head, and all; shall come no more heer, ey warran u. [Exit.
Kna. Sir, the truth is, report spoke it for truth
You were to-morrow to be marrièd.
Mis. W.-Cam. I forbid the banes!
W.-Cam. Mercy deliver me!
If my grave embrace me in the bed of death,
I would to church with willing ceremony;
But for my wedlock-fellow, here she is,
The first and last that e’er my thoughts look’d on.
Kna. Why, la, you, cousin, this was nought but error,
Or an assault of mischief.
W.-Cam. Whose report was it?
Kna. Your man George’s, who invited me to the wedding.
W.-Cam. George! and was he sober? good sir, call him.
Enter George.
Geo. It needs not, sir, I am here already.
W.-Cam. Did you report this, George?
Geo. Yes, sir, I did.
W.-Cam. And wherefore did you so?
Geo. For a new suit that you promised me, sir, if I could bring home my mistress; and I think she’s come, with a mischief.
Mis. W.-Cam. Give me that villain’s ears!
Geo. I would give ear, if I could hear you talk wisely.
Mis. W.-Cam. Let me cut off his ears!
Geo. I shall hear worse of you hereafter then; limb for limb, one of my ears for one of your tongues, and I'll lay out for my master.
W.-Cam.’Twas knavery with a good purpose in it:
Sweet Rachel, this was even George’s meaning,
A second marriage ’twixt thyself and me;
485And now I woo thee to’t; a quiet night
Will make the sun, like a fresh bridegroom, rise
And kiss the chaste cheek of the rosy morn;
Which we will imitate, and, like him, create
Fresh buds of love, fresh-spreading arms, fresh fruit,
Fresh wedding-robes, and George’s fresh new suit.
Mis. W.-Cam. This is fine stuff; have you much on’t to sell?
Geo. A remnant of a yard.
W.-Cam. Come, come, all’s well.—
Sir, you must sup, instead of to-morrow’s dinner.
Kna. I follow you. [Exeunt all except Knavesby.]—No, ’tis another way;
My lord’s reward calls me to better cheer,
Many good meals, a hundred marks a-year:
My wife’s transform’d a lady; tush, she’ll come
To her shape again: my lord rides the circuit;
If I ride along with him, what need I grutch?[965]
I can as easy sit, and speed as much. [Exit.